Using simple technology to prompt multistep tasks in the home for people with dementia: An exploratory study comparing prompting formats

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the relative effectiveness of different prompts for people with dementia during multistep tasks in the home, to inform prompting technology design.MethodsNine pairs of participants (one with dementia and a partner or relative) participated at home. The participants with mild to moderate dementia (5M/4F, aged 73–86 years) functioned at the Planned or Exploratory levels of the Pool Activity Level instrument. A touchscreen computer displayed different prompts during two set tasks: “card-and-envelope” and “CD player.” The trials were scored to establish the relative effectiveness of the prompts. Individual tasks were also explored.ResultsText and audio prompts were each more effective than video or picture prompts for a card-and-envelope task, but this was not seen in a CD player task. The differences may be related to the type of actions within the tasks; the card-and-envelope actions were easier to convey verbally; the CD player actions lent themselves to visual prompts.ConclusionsDesigners of technology-based prompts for people with dementia should consider that the effectiveness of different prompts is likely to be task dependent. Familiar, unambiguous language can increase the success of tailored prompts. There are significant practical challenges associated with choosing and deconstructing everyday tasks at home.

Literature review: technological interventions and their impact on quality of life for people living with dementia

“…Therefore, it could be argued that creating solutions that are designed to be used ‘by’ someone with dementia independently, is one of the more complex problems faced in dementia-related care. Despite the challenging nature, enabling people to perform simple everyday activities is significant, as it lessens the burden on caregivers, and can help improve an individual’s self-esteem,23 noted as one of the key domains in DQoL 24. This is supported in a study25 which concluded that technology can support increased confidence and retention of independence for people with progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia.…”

Recent Technology-Aided Programs to Support Adaptive Responses, Functional Activities, and Leisure and Communication in People With Significant Disabilities

“…People with mild to severe intellectual disabilities with or without additional sensory or motor impairments, people with neurodegenerative diseases, in particular mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease, as well as people with acquired brain injury are often unable to carry out functional, multistep activities (21, 22, 35, 53). Indeed, they may fail to perform self-care sequences (e.g., morning routine), daily domestic tasks (e.g., preparing coffee, setting the table, or making a snack), and work tasks (e.g., assembling and packaging commercial products) (35, 54, 55).…”

Smartphone-Based Interventions to Foster Simple Activity and Personal Satisfaction in People With Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease

“…10,[15][16][17] Behavioral interventions available for persons in the mild or early moderate stages of the disease may include (1) traditional approaches, such as reality orientation training, memory exercises, and reminiscence therapy, aimed at fostering cognitive functioning and communication [18][19][20][21] and (2) technology-aided programs aimed at supporting different types of functional engagement concerning, among others, daily activities, leisure/entertainment, communication, and reminiscence. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] A technology-aided program for supporting engagement in daily activities, for example, may involve the use of a tablet that reminds the participants of the activities to carry out (ie, at the appropriate times of the day) and presents them with the instructions for the activity steps. 26 Behavioral interventions available for persons in the low moderate, or severe stages of the disease may include (1) various forms of environmental stimulation (eg, music stimulation, snoezelen, and aromatherapy) [29][30][31][32][33][34] aimed at reducing problem behavior (eg, agitation) and improving general mood and (2) technology-aided programs aimed at promoting simple responses (eg, arm or leg movements, supported ambulation steps, and basic occupation).…”